Act Now: Say No to Drone Surveillance in the US

We’ve written a number of times about the lack of transparency around the administration’s drone policy and its constitutional implications. As the administration continues to face scrutiny for its use of drones abroad, state legislators are introducing legislation to combat the use of drone surveillance domestically. More than twenty state, have considered creating laws that would limit or ban the use of unmanned aerial systems, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

AAI, in addition to several civil rights groups, has signed on to a petition calling on the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to establish privacy regulations for the use of drones in the United States.

“The use of drones for border surveillance presents substantial privacy and civil liberties concerns for millions of Americans across the country. According to the Agency, the border area encompasses all areas within 100 miles of an external boundary, including both land and sea borders. Approximately two-thirds of the U.S. population resides within this area, including all residents of New York City, Chicago, Miami, and San Diego…. The American public is substantially affected by the uses of drones in US airspace and the Agency has failed to provide legal authority or to seek public comments on a program that allows for the interception of private communications and the surveillance and tracking of individuals in the United States.”